What Is Fiber Optic Internet (And Do You Need It)?
What is Fiber Optic Internet?
The way we receive data and information directly impacts how we experience our day to day lives. Family movie nights, important Zoom calls, 4K gaming with friends, and googling how to bake sourdough all require the internet. Fiber optic internet can get you that data and those experiences at incredibly high speeds with less lag and greater bandwidth.
How does Fiber Optic Internet Work?
Fiber optic cables are composed of up to one thousand, ultra-thin, glass strands that transmit data using pulses of light. These bundles of hair-like fibers can send large quantities of information from your ISP directly to your home. Unlike traditional copper cables that use electricity to send data, fiber optic technology delivers data using the speed of light.
Why Would I Want Fiber?
Speed
Internet at the speed of light. The light-based technology of fiber optics and the precision engineered strands of fiber have taken internet speeds to a new level. Due to its ability to transmit data using the speed of light, fiber can send larger quantities of information, at much higher speeds, than traditional copper cables. As technology improves, you can expect future fiber speeds to be nearly 10 times faster than current top tier speeds.
Symmetry
A fiber connection means symmetrical upload and download speeds. Download speeds are how quickly you browse and access the internet and uploads speeds are how quickly you can upload to the internet. If your download speed is up to 2 Gig, your download upload speed will also be up to 2 Gig.
Types of uploads:
- Hosting a livestream
- Uploading large files and videos
- Attending video conferences
Types of download activities:
- Streaming movies and music
- Sharing WiFi across multiple devices
- Installing and running apps or games
Symmetrical speeds are ideal for students, businesses, content creators, and gamers who are frequently working with large amounts of data and need a stable connection to upload and download files smoothly.
Reliability
Not only is fiber fast and symmetrical, but it is also incredibly reliable compared to traditional copper cables. The unique engineering of a fiber optic cable means it is resistant to electromagnetic signals and radio interference resulting in a more secure signal.
Fiber optic cables can withstand between 100 and 200 pounds of pressure and can maintain signal strength when run over 25 miles. Copper lines can only withstand 20 pounds of pressure, losing signal strength after almost 300 feet. Copper lines are also more likely to be affected by extreme temperatures and inclement weather due to their electricity-based technology.
Fiber optic technology is the future of the internet and the future of how we work, play, and learn. Its ability to provide the speed, symmetry, and reliability our customers need is the reason we’ve invested in a fiber network. At Blue Ridge, we want to provide our customers with a future-proof service that will keep their lives up to speed.